This game concludes three Game 5s in the Division Series, only the second time that’s happened since the wild card was added in 1995. Carpenter and Halladay are both former Cy Young winners, ex-teammates on the Blue Jays and good friends. This will be the third time baseball history that former Cy Young Award winners have met in the deciding game of a playoff series. Halladay won the award with the Blue Jays in 2003 and again with the Phillies in 2010. Carpenter won the award with the Cardinals in 2005. Amazingly, the two have never pitched against each other.

In Game 1 of this series, Halladay was a little off for him, allowing three runs, but he also allowed just three hits and struck out eight as the Phillies won 11-6. Halladay’s only mistake was Lance Berkman’s three-run homer in the first inning. It should be noted that St. Louis didn’t have star outfielder Matt Holliday in that one as he was limited to pinch-hitting with a hand injury. But Holliday started in Game 4 – his first start since Sept. 27 – and went 1-for-3 and scored twice. He will start tonight.

Carpenter pitched Game 2 in Philly, and he also allowed three runs in the first inning. That was notable as it was the first time he allowed that many runs in the first in a playoff game since the 2006 NLCS. He hasn’t in the regular season since 2004. With St. Louis down 4-0, Carpenter was pulled after just three innings, although St. Louis rallied to win 5-4. Carpenter allowed four runs and five hits in those three innings, his shortest start of the year.

With both teams being off Thursday, pretty much every pitcher on each staff is available in relief tonight. It could also be the final game as a Cardinal for free-agent-to-be Albert Pujols. If Philly wins, it hosts Game 1 of the NLCS on Sunday. If the Cards win, they are at Arizona or Milwaukee for Game 1.

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